Rounds, Thune, and Senate GOP Using Rushed and Secretive Process to Take Healthcare Away from Millions
“Senate Republicans, including John Thune and Mike Rounds, are in the process of writing legislation which could dismantle our country’s healthcare system and take healthcare away from 23 million Americans (including 19,000 South Dakotans) while also causing unnecessary spikes in premiums and costs for low-incomes families, older Americans, and those with pre-existing conditions. Despite the enormous negative ramifications of this legislation, they have used a secretive and rushed process to ram this legislation through the Senate with no public debate or scrutiny:
- For weeks, thirteen Republican Senators – including John Thune – have been meeting behind closed doors to craft this legislation.
- Senate Republicans filed a motion last week to fast-track the bill with no hearings or amendments.
- Senate Republicans have made clear they will not release a draft of their bill to the public.
- In an unprecedented move, the Republicans on the Senate Rules Committee put new restrictions on reporters to limit press coverage, before backing down after intense backlash from congressional reporters and Democrats in the Senate.
“What are John Thune, Mike Rounds, and the Senate Republicans trying to hide by rushing to craft this bill behind closed doors? On an issue that will profoundly impact the healthcare of the people of South Dakota, and the rest of the country, we deserve a transparent and open process with public debate and input. If they truly think their legislation is good enough to become law, they should not be ashamed or afraid to release it to the public. I call on them to open this process up to the light of day immediately.”
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